Tent structure



A. G. BANKS TENT STRUCTURE June 20, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 8, 1964 INVENTOR ALMA G BANKS A G. BANKS TENT STRUCTURE June 20, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 8, 1964 INVENTOR ALMA G. BANKS NOE United States Patent Ofiice 3,326,225 Patented June 20, 1967 3,326,225 TENT STRUCTURE Alma G. Banks, 17935 Califa St., Encino, Calif. 91316 Filed Dec. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 416,847 2 Claims. (Cl. 13514) This invention relates to a collapsible shelter and more particularly to a novel arrangement for the support of a collapsible shelter such as a tent.

Many collapsible shelters such as tents are known in the art. However, each of them generally comprises a cover material and support posts at least on the four corners thereof. Considerable time and effort is required to erect the prior art portable or collapsible shelter or tent.

The pimary object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight wind-safe structure with an easily assembled and disassembled stake and pole combination.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the novel stake of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the vertical pole of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the horizontal pole used in connection with the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a horizontal pole and stake interconnected with a vertical corner pole.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a complete shelter utilizing the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the inside of the shelter; and

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the inside of the shelter with the window open.

Referring to the drawings, a standard shelter or a tent has fabric tracks 21 on the four corners thereof into which fit tubular vertical poles 18. The tubular vertical poles 18 have through holes cut in the top portion thereof producing an opening. The bottom ends of the vertical poles 18 fit over the upper portion of a tent peg 17. The upper portion of the tent peg has a flanged top which is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the vertical pole 18. The peg 17 also has a flange approximately half the distance between either end of the peg 17 and the lower end of the peg 17 is shaped for easy insertion into the ground. The ridge pole and horizontal side poles 19 have relatively pointed ends. The diameter of the shaft of pole 19 is slightly larger than the opening in the top of vertical pole 18. As shown in FIGURE 4, the horizontal ridge pole and side horizontal poles have their ends inserted into the opening in the top of vertical poles 18.

It should be noted that the vertical poles 18 can be made collapsible, as well-known in the art, either by making the poles in sections having mating ends or by constructing the pole such that the separate sections telescope into one another, in a manner well-known in the art. In this way, the vertical poles 18 can be adjusted for height to suit the particular tent or shelter.

The stake 17 in the illustration shown in the drawings has the expanded top portion or flange which serves as an aid in driving the stake into the ground and also pre vents substantial lateral movement of the vertical stake 17 thereby preventing noise due to horizontal movement or vibration of the vertical pole 18. The second or middle flange of stake 17 is an aid for the insertion of the stake 17 into the ground and further prevents the vertical pole 18 from being driven further into the ground and losing engagement with the horizontal ridge pole or. the horizontal side poles 19.

The ridge pole is supported by two vertical poles having the same general construction as the vertical poles 18. The ridge pole is placed inside of the structure 10 and passes through the ends of the structure to engage vertical poles positioned on the outside of the structure. It should be noted that it is possible, however, to position the vertical poles inside of the structure but this is less desirable due to the fact that most shelters or tents today have a sewn in bottom or floor through which the stake 17 would have to pass in order to firmly position and support the vertical pole.

In most tents, grommets are provided in the side thereof through which loops can pass. The loops in turn surround the horizontal side poles 19 and hold the tent side up as well as prevent the side of the tent from collapsing.

In lieu of the grommets and loops 20, tracks can be provided along the seam for horizontal poles 19 similar to the tracks 21 provided for the vertical poles 18.

The ropes (not shown) can be fastened at one end to the top of the vertical poles. The other end of ropes can be fastened in a conventional manner to a stake in the ground at the other end. The ropes provide additional support for the structure.

To set the tent up utilizing the present invention, one merely has to lay the tent out so that it is in a collapsed form but so that the four bottom corners are stretched. Then the stakes 18 are driven into the ground at the four corners of the tent or shelter and midway between the corners at both ends of the tent or shelter. It is a very simple matter for one person alone to drive the stakes into the ground, either with foot pressure on the flanges or by pounding on :the flanges.

Next, the ridge pole is inserted through the openings in the ends of the tent or shelter and the vertical poles are placed on the stakes 14. It should be noted that since the stakes 17 support the vertical poles to -a great extent, the vertical poles can be placed on the stakes 17 and then the ends of the ridge pole individually raised to be inserted into the opening in the top of the vertical poles. Again, one person can accomplish this phase of the erection of the shelter or tent without the aid of anyone else.

Once the ridge pole and vertical poles are in place, the corner vertical poles can be inserted into the tracks 21 and positioned on top of the stakes 17. Once again, one person can accomplish this phase of the erection of the shelter or tent without the aid of anyone else.

Since the stakes 17 do provide support for the vertical poles, the tent will stand erected and a person can aflix the tie-down ropes.

It should be noted that all of the vertical and horizontal poles can be of the collapsible type such that when the tent is dismantled the poles remain in the tracks when the poles are rolled up with the tent for storage, then the assembly or erection of the shelter or tent merely requires that the poles be extended to their full length prior to the final erection of the shelter or tent.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 and 7, there is shown the second embodiment of the present invention. Loops of tent material 30 and 31 or the like are sewn into the vertical seems at and beside the window to form pockets the bottoms of the material 30 and 31 are sewn or otherwise affixed to the tent wall to permit the storage of items in the pockets.

Generally there is provided a seam above the window of tents. This seam can be widened to accommodate rod 27 or a loop of material can be sewn to the tent wall to provide a support track for the rod 27. Also ties 35 can be provided to add support to rod 27.

Rod 27 is of such length as to extend beyond the support track and ties 35. In this manner the rod 27 provides a support means for hanging items such as mirrors and the like.

The top side of rod 27 can have serrations therein to prevent slippage of anything hung on the rod.

Therefore by adding a small amount of material to the tent and a single inexpensive pole of Wood or metal the present invention provides utility pockets much needed in tents as well as much needed supports to hang items such as mirrors.

Although the subject invention has been set forth with a certain degree of particularity, it is intended that the scope of the present invention be only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A portable overnight shelter having one wall with a window arrangement therein and comprising:

pocket material having one side thereof sewn into the seams of at least one side of said window, the other side of said pocket material being sewn into a vertical seam in said Wall close to said Window, the bottom of said pocket material also being afiixed to said well; a fabric track above said Window; and a pole positioned in said track and extending beyond said track so as to permit the ends of said pole to be exposed and capable of supporting hanging items.

2. The shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pole has serrations on the end portion thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Germany.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner. 20 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, L. I. SANTISI,

Examiners. 

1. A PORTABLE OVERNIGHT SHELTER HAVING ONE WALL WITH A WINDOW ARRANGEMENT THEREIN AND COMPRISING: POCKET MATERIAL HAVING ONE SIDE THEREOF SEWN INTO THE SEAMS OF AT LEAST ONE SIDE OF SAID WINDOW, THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID POCKET MATERIAL BEING SEWN INTO A VERTICAL SEAM IN SAID WALL CLOSE TO SAID WINDOW, THE BOTTOM OF SAID POCKET MATERIAL ALSO BEING AFFIXED TO SAID WALL; A FABRIC TRACK ABOVE SAID WINDOW; AND A POLE POSITIONED IN SAID TRACK AND EXTENDING BEYOND SAID TRACK SO AS TO PERMIT THE ENDS OF SAID POLE TO BE EXPOSED AND CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING HANGING ITEMS. 